Wales end long-running losing streak
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Last week, in Kitakyushu, Matt Sherratt's side were unable to hold onto a 19-7 lead in the blazing sun. Now, under the roof in Kobe, leads of 21-3 and 24-10 had vanished. Leading by two points heading into the final 10 minutes, just as they had the previous week, it felt like everyone knew how this was about to play out.
BBC Sport takes a look at all the key information as Wales get ready for their first Test match against Japan on Saturday.
Wales found it within themselves to get over the line as another second half capitulation looked like unfolding
In a streak of lows, last week’s 24-19 defeat to Eddie Jones’ Japan is surely the lowest, despite strong competition from this year’s 68-14 pummelling by England, defeats to Italy, Fiji, and let’s not forget the 29-17 World Cup quarter final defeat to Argentina that kicked off this miserable run.
Ospreys duo Dan Edwards and Keelan Giles are both set to achieve Wales firsts this weekend when they line up against Japan in Kobe.
Wales led the Brave Blossoms 19-7 at one stage last week, but too much went wrong for them to make them worth backing at odds-on in Kobe and they have been dealt a couple of extra blows on top.